Desk construction



March 25, 1969 Filed July 14, 1966 /0/ I80 I30 ma Sheet 1 of 6 KENNETH D. SCHREYER- ATTYS.

March 25, 1969 K. D. SCHREYER 3,434,768

DESK CONSTRUCTION Filed July 14, 1966 Sheet 3 of 6 March 25, 1969 K. D. SCHREYER DESK CONSTRUCTION Sheet 5 0:6

Filed July 14. 1966 9: vw wk Q at s United States Patent Olfice U.S. Cl. 312194 44 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE There is disclosed a desk comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate and a pair of spaced apart mounting channels secured to the top plate. An edging extends around the periphery of the top plate and includes a dependent side flange that extends down below the mounting channels. A rear panel is secured to the rear mounting channel and an end support or panel is secured to one end of each of the mounting channels. A pedestal is positioned adjacent one end of the top plate, detachably secured to the mounting channels and detachably secured to one end of the rear panel. Legs are detachably secured to the rear end of the end panel to the adjacent end of the rear panel and to the front end of the end panel. Legs are also detachably secured to the outer wall of the pedestal and a finishing panel extends between the legs secured to the pedestal and lies in the plane of said legs. Each of the panels is of a double side wall construction, closed at its top, bottom and ends and has a rigid cellular filler disposed between the side walls and adhesively bound to those walls. Each of the legs is rectangular in cross section and provided with one or more notches at its upper end slidably to receive a leg mounting fastener secured to the vertical surface of the adjacent part of the desk and each of the legs is provided with one or more slots near the lower end of the leg for receiving a leg clip detachably secured to the adjacent part of the dark. The end and top of the back panel adjacent the pedestal are provided with notches to receive a fastener secured to the pedestal for detachably securing these parts together and a tie clip is detachably secured to the bottom wall of the rear panel and the bottom of the pedestal to detachably secure those parts together. A resilient spacer is secured to certain of the leg surfaces to close the space between the legs and the adjacent panels and the pedestal. The dependent side flange of the edging is provided with inner and outer attachment members receiving a decorative trim extending peripherally of the desk top and closing the space between the edging and the several panels.

This invention relates to furniture constructions, and particularly to desks, and to improvements in desk components and the interconnection thereof one with the other.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved furniture construction, and particularly an improved desk, a single pedestal desk having been selected for illustrative purposes, and fundamentally to provide an improved desk formed essentially of sheet metal that is simple in construction and economical in manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved furniture top for use on desks and the like, the furniture top including a topplate and an edging extending around the periphery thereof and secured thereto, the edging carrying on the lower end thereof a trim mounting structure on which is disposed a decorative trim of improved construction and arrangement.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved furniture top of the type set forth having on the 3,434,768 Patented Mar. 25, 1969 underside thereof front and rear mounting channels to which all of the other furniture structures are connected, the trim on the top filling the space between the top and the other adjacent components of the furniture.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved desk including a desk top having mounted therebeneath a pedestal at one end thereof and an end support at the other end thereof, a first pair of legs detachably secured to the pedestal to support the adjacent end of the desk and a second pair of legs detachably secured to the end support to support the adjacent end thereof and resilient spacers disposed between the first pair of legs and the pedestal and between the second pair of legs and the end support.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved desk of the type set forth wherein the end support is connected to the mounting channels on the top by a pair of top brackets and a back panel is provided between the pedestal and the end panel and connected to the ad jacent mounting channel by a pair of panel brackets.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a desk of the type set forth a resilient trim disposed between the desk top and the associated structures mounted thereon including the pedestal, the end panel and the back panel, and to provide resilient spacers between the legs and the pedestal and between the pedestal and the back panel and between the :back panel and the associated leg and between the end support and the associated legs.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved connection between a fumiture member and a leg therefor, the improved connection including a U-shaped notch at the upper end of the leg receiving a mounting fastener on the associated furniture member, a clip interconnecting the lower end of the furniture member and an intermediate portion of the leg and a resilient spacer between such leg and such member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a furniture structure an improved connection between a desk top and a back panel, panel brackets being provided to mount the back panel on a mounting channel forming a part of the desk top.

In connection with the foregoing object, another object of the invention is to provide an improved structure for mutually interconnecting a desk top and a pedestal and a back panel to provide good interconnection thereamong.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a furniture structure an improved combination of a desk top and an end panel, the top brackets being provided to interconnect the end panel to a pair of mounting channels forming a part of the desk top.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved interconnection among a desk top and an end panel and a back panel to provide for good interconnection thereamong.

Still aother object of the invention is to provide an improved back panel for use in the improved desk of the type set forth and including improved mounting structure and improved sound deadening structure therefor.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved back panel for use in the improved desk of the type set forth and including improved mounting structure and improved sound deadening construction therefor.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved brackets for mounting parts on a desk top and including improved panel brackets for mounting a back panel on the desk top and improved top brackets for mounting the end panel on the desk top.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved leg structure for use in improved furniture structures of the type set forth.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the parts, whereb the aboveoutlined and additional features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of construction, together with further objects and advantages, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a single pedestal desk made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the desk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the desk of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the desk illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view with certain parts broken away of a furniture leg forming a part of the improved desk of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view with certain parts broken away illustrating the interconnection among the pedestal, the back panel, the end panel and the legs;

FIG. 7 is a view in horizontal section with certain parts broken away substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view in vertical section with certain parts broken away along the line 88 of FIGS. 1 and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view in vertical section along the line 9-9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a view in horizontal section along the line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section with certain portions broken away along the line 1111 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is a view in vertical section along the line 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view in vertical section along the line 1313 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section through an edge of the desk top;

FIG. 15 is a view of the underside of a corner of the desk top and diagrammatically illustrating the mounting of the resilient lower trim thereon;

FIG. 16 is a further enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the edging on the desk top and illustrating the mounting of the lower resilient trim thereon; and

FIG. 17 is a further enlarged view illustrating the mounting of the upper metal trim on the desk top.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularl to FIGS. 1 to 4 thereof, there is illustrated a piece of furni ture made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, a lefthand single pedestal desk 100 having been shown for purposes of illustration. The desk 100 includes a desk top 101 at the lefthand end of which is disposed a pedestal 150 supported by a pair of legs 170 having associated feet 175, the pedestal 150 having mounted therein a box drawer 180 and a file drawer 182, the box drawer 180 being provided with a pull 181 and the file drawer 182 being provided with a pull 183. Mounted on the other end of the desk top 101 is an end panel 250 supported by a pair of legs 170 having associated feet 175, the space between the pedestal 150 and the end panel 250 at the rear of the desk top 101 being closed by a back panel 200; as may be best seen in FIG. 3, the back panel 200 is provided with a pair of wiring openings 215 for the reception therethrough of telephone wires and the like, covers (not shown) being provided to close the openings 215 when not in use. There further is mounted on the desk top 101 a lock 112 substantially in the center of the front edge thereof to lock the drawers 180 and 182.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 to 17 of the drawings, additional details of construction of the desk top 101 will be described. As may be best seen in FIGS. 14 and 17, the desk top 101 includes a generally flat top plate 102, the top plate 102 being generally rectangular in shape and having the corners thereof formed square, the periphery of the top plate 102 being essentially the same as the periphery of the desk top 101. Disposed beneath the top plate 102 and extending around the periphery thereof is an edging 103 also formed of sheet metal, a substantially flat piece of sheet metal having been deformed to provide an attachment flange 104, a side flange 105, a mounting flange 106, an inturned flange 107 and trim mounting flanges 108 to 111, inclusive. More specifically, the attachment flange 104 is disposed against the .nnderside of the top plate 102 but is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer edge thereof, the outer edge of the attachment flange 104 carrying thereon the mounting flange 106 which is offset downwardly away from the underside of the top plate 102 and extends outwardly slightly beyond the outer edge thereof. As illustrated, the side flange 105 is integral with the mounting flange 106 and depends therefrom and is disposed substantially normal thereto. There is provided on the lower edge of the side flange 105 a lower trim mounting member including the inturned flange 107 carrying on the inner edge thereof a dependent flange 108 that carries thereon an outwardly extending trim holding flange 109 that is integral with an inwardly directed bottom flange 110 that carries on the inner edge thereof an upturned inner flange 111. Preferably the edging 103 is formed as two pieces and is secured to the top plate 102 by welding at the attachment flange 104 and the abutting edges of the edging 103 located substantially at the midpoints of the shorter top sides are also welded to form seams therebetween.

Also disposed on the underside of the top plate 102 is a reinforcing sheet 140, see FIGS. 7 and 13, the reinforcing sheet 140 being formed from a substantially flat piece of sheet metal bent to provide an attachment portion 141, ribs 142 having side walls 143 and connecting portions 144 at the periphery thereof. The attachment portions 141 are disposed toward the underside of the top plate 102, there being a body of mastic (not shown) applied therebetween through which a weld is made. The side walls 143 depend downwardly from the attachment portion 141 to form the ribs 142 which are spaced from the underside of the top plate 102. The connecting portions 144 are offset from the underside of the top plate 102 to accommodate therebetween portions such as the attachment flanges 104 on the edging 103, the three layers mentioned being connected as by welding.

Also mounted beneath the top 101 are two longitudinally extending and substantially parallel and spaced apart mounting channels 120, each mounting channel including a longitudinally extending rnain wall 121 and a pair of depending side flanges 122 carrying on the lower ends thereof respectively inturned holding flanges 123, all of the other parts of the desk being mounted upon the desk top 101 by means of the mounting channels 120.

Disposed on the upper surface of the top plate 102 is a covering 125, preferably formed of a synthetic organic resin, the preferred materials being those sold under the trademarks Textolite, Micarta, and Formica. An adhesive is supplied both to the upper surface of the top plate 102 and to the lower surface of the cover to provide a good bond therebetween, the preferred adhesive being a synthetic rubber resin adhesive of the contact type such as that sold under the trademark D-SOO by Armstrong Cork Company, the two parts being oven heated to about 200 F. to drive off the volatile ingredients in the adhesive. The outer edges of the covering 125 extend slightly beyond the outer end of the top plate 102 and the upper outer corner is cut back or routed as at 126.

To complete the desk top 101, a lower decorative trim 115 is provided around the periphery of the lower portion of the edge 113 and an upper decorative trim 130 is provided about the edge of the top plate 102. Referring first to the lower trim 115 best illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16 of the drawings, it will be seen that the trim 115 includes a main wall 116 that is disposed below the bottom flange 110, the main wall 116 having integral therewith an upwardly directed decorative side wall 117 having a generally concave vertical outer surface and carrying on the upper end thereof an integral and inwardly directed mounting flange 118 adapted to engage on the trim holding flange 109. The inner edge of the main wall 116 carries an upstanding integral inner wall 119 carrying on the upper end thereof an outwardly directed mounting flange 114 that overlies the upper edge of the inner flange 111. The two mounting flanges 114 and 118 cooperate to hold the decorative lower trim 115 upon the trim holding structure on the lower edge of the edging 103, the trim 115 extending completely around the periphery of the associate desk top 101. The preferred materials of construction of the trim 115 are synthetic organic plastic resins, one preferred material being an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) such as those sold under the trade name Abson, Kralastic, and Cycolac, and another preferred material being high-impact polystyrene.

The upper trim 130 is best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 17 of the drawings, the trim 130 being preferably formed of sheet metal, the preferred material being stainless steel. A single sheet of metal is bent so as to provide an outer wall 131, a top flange 132, a bottom flange 133, a curved portion 134, a mounting tongue 135 and an inner end 135. As illustrated, the outer wall 131 is disposed essentially vertically and carries on the upper edge thereof the top flange 132 that extends inwardly and slightly upwardly from the outer wall 131 and abuts against an edge of the covering 125 at the edge portion 126 thereof. The lower edge of the outer wall 131 extends downwardly at least to the top of the edging 103 and carries on the lower end thereof the bottom flange 133 that extends inwardly toward the space formed between the top plate 102 and the mounting flange 106. The curved portion 134 extends upwardly from the bottom flange 133 to bear against the under surface of the top plate 102 and the mounting tongue 135 extends downwardly therefrom and presses against the upper surface of the mounting flange 106, and the inner end 136 is integral therewith and extends upwardly to contact the underside of the top plate 102. Prior to the mounting of the trim 130 and in the normal condition thereof, the curved portion 134 and the mounting tongue 135 and the inner end 136 combine to provide a thickness or vertical extent greater than the distance between the top plate 102 and the flange 106, whereby in the driving of the mounting tongue 135 thereinto, the tongue 135 is resiliently deformed with the curved portion 134 and the inner end 136 being resiliently pressed against the underside of the top plate 102 and the mounting tongue 135 being resiliently urged against the upper surface of the flange 106, thereby resiliently to hold the trim 130 in the mounted position around the periphery of the desk top 101.

Mounted beneath the lower lefthand end of the desk top 101 is the pedestal 150, certain of the details of construction thereof being illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, 7 and 8 to of the drawings. The pedestal 150 includes a body 151 comprising a substantially rectangular rear wall 152 and a pair of substantially rectangular side walls 153 extending forwardly and disposed substantially perpendicular thereto and parallel to each other, the junctions between the rear wall 152 and the side walls 153 being generally square. The upper edges of the rear wall 152 and the upper edges of the side walls 153 carry top side flanges 155, and the lower edge of the rear wall 152 carries a bottom rear flange 157 and the lower edges of the side walls 153 carry bottom side flanges 158. The forward edges of the side walls 153 carry inwardly directed front flanges 159 that extend substantially "vertically, see FIG. 7. Disposed in the bottom of the pedestal and secured to the flanges 157 and 158 is a bottom wall 160, the bottom wall 160 having an upturned front flange 161 thereon, see FIGS. 1 and 2. Disposed at the upper rear of the pedestal 150 is a rear top support 165 (see FIG. 8) carrying structure (not shown) for connecting the rear of the pedestal to the rear mounting channel 120; and front frame structure (not shown) is provided adjacent to the front of the pedestal 150 for connecting the same to the front mounting channel 120. There further are provided in certain corners of the pedestal 150 pedestal corner clips 166 welded in place and formed of metal and being essentially rectangular in shape and having a rectangular slot 167 adjacent to one end thereof and a threaded opening 168 adjacent to the other end thereof. Further details of construction of the pedestal 150 and of the drawers 180 and 182 and the mounting thereof in the pedestal 150 as well as the lock mechanism therefor controlled by the lock 112 are set forth in the copending application of Kenneth D. Schreyer, Serial No. 503,157, filed Oct. 23, 1965 entitled Desk Construction.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the construction and mounting of the legs 1 70 on the pedestal 150, the details of construction thereof being best illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 10 of the drawings. Referring first to FIG. 5, it will be seen that: each of the legs 170 is formed hollow and comprises four longitudinally extending side walls 171 disposed mutually perpendicular to each other to form a leg 170 that is essentially square in cross section. At least one of the side walls 171 is provided at the upper end thereof with an essentially U- shaped notch 172 therein and has provided intermediate the ends thereof an elongated and laterally arranged rectangular slot 174 therein, two holes 173 being provided respectively adjacent to the notch 172 and the slot 174 for the mounting of a spacer thereon as will be described more fully hereinafter. As is illustrated by the dashed lines to the right in FIG. 5, the adjacent side wall 171 may also be provided with a notch 172, holes 173 and a slot 174, this structure being useful for mounting the leg 170 at the junction between the back panel 200 and the end panel 250 as will be described more fully hereinafter. The

lower end of each leg 170 preferably carries a foot 175 thereon.

As may best be seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 10 of the drawings, two of the legs 170 are provided along the outer side wall 153 of the pedestal 150, the forward surface of the front leg 170 being in general longitudinal alignment with the front of the pedestal 150 and the rear surface of the rear leg 170 being in general longitudinal alignment with the rear wall 152 of the pedestal 150. Disposed between the legs 170 and against the adjacent pedestal side wall 153 is a finishing panel including a main wall 191 disposed parallel to the pedestal side wall 153. The finishing panel main wall 191 further has a pair of side flanges 192 integral with the vertically extending edges thereof and disposed substantially normal thereto and a top flange (not shown) but extending normal to the main wall 191 and over the associated pedestal top flange 155 and secured thereto and a bottom flange '194 integral with the main wall 191 and extending toward and underlying the associated pedestal side flange 158 and suitably secured thereto, whereby to mount the finishing panel 190 upon the pedestal 150 between the associated legs 17 0. Finally, there is adhered to the main wall 191 on the inner surface thereof a filler 199 of cellular construction, the details of construction of the filler 199 to be described more fully hereinafter.

It will be seen therefore from FIG. 10 that the front leg 170, for example, is disposed between and generally fills the space between the forward lefthand corner of the pedestal 150 and the front end of the finishing panel 190, an angle spacer 185 being disposed therebetween. The angle spacer 185 includes a pair of main Walls 186 joined by a hinge portion 188, each of the main walls 186 having a pair of vertically extending flanges 187 disposed outwardly therefrom and toward the adjacent pedestal wall or finishing panel wall, as the case may he. The angle spacer 185 is mounted upon the leg 170 by a pair of self-tapping screws 189 that pass through openings in the spacer main walls 186 and engage the openings 173 in the leg 170 to mount the spacer 185 thereon, the spacer 185 extending from a point slightly below the upper end of the leg 170 downwardly to a space a short distance above the leg slot 174, see FIG. 8. The preferred material of construction of the angle spacer 185 is a resilient synthetic organic plastic resin, the preferred materials being nylon resin and high impact polystyrene resin.

In order to connect the upper end of the leg 170 to the pedestal 150, a shoulder screw or fastener 195 is provided on the pedestal 150 adjacent to the upper end thereof. More specifically, the fastener 195 includes a disk-like securing member or head 196 and a generally cylindrical shank 197 of smaller diameter than the member or head 196 and terminating in a threaded end 198 of further reduced diameter. The threaded end 198 extends through an opening in the pedestal side wall 153 and engages in the associated threaded opening 168 in the corner clip 166, the corner clip 166 being welded in position on the pedestal side wall 153; the shank 197 and head 196 positioning and spacing the leg 170 relative to the side wall 153. The lower end of the leg 170 is suitably connected to the pedestal 150 by means of a leg clip 176, see FIG. 8, the leg clip 176 including a body 177 generally rectangular in shape and carrying on one end thereof a first upstanding arm 178 and carrying on the other end thereof a second depending arm 179, the arm 17 8 being disposed generally at a right angle with respect to the body 177 and the arm 179 being disposed at an acute angle with respect to the body 17 6.

In assembling the leg 170 on the pedestal 150, the angle spacer 185 is first mounted thereon by means of the screws 189 and the shoulder screw 195 is mounted upon the pedestal side wall 153. The parts thus partially assembled are then pressed against the pedestal side wall 153 with the upper end of the leg 170 disposed downwardly from the shoulder screw 195 with the notch 172 therein in alignment with the shoulder screw shank 197 and with the leg clip arm 178. Pressing the leg 170 against the side wall 153 to deform the flanges 187, the leg 170 is pushed upwardly so that the notch 172 receives the shank 197 and the member or head 196 extends laterally beyond the sides of the notch 172. The leg clip 176 is then installed, the arm 179 being inserted through the slot 174 in the leg 170 and the arm 178 being inserted in the slot 167 in the corner clip 166 and through a corresponding aligned rectangular slot (not shown) in the bottom wall 160, the leg clip 176 so mounted being loose. An oval head screw 214 is then inserted through a complementarily shaped counter sunk opening in the clip 176 and engages a threaded opening 168 in the corner clip 166. As the screw 214- is drawn tight, the clip 176 is pulled toward the pedestal 150 and due also to the inclination of the arm 179 at an acute angle, the leg 170 is drawn up tight against the pedestal 150 at this point. When the parts reach the position illustrated in FIG. 8, the leg 170 is firmly mounted upon the pedestal 150. It also will be understood that the flanges 187 disposed toward the side wall 192 of the finishing panel 190 will also be compressed, whereby the leg 170 is firmly held in the mounted position by the shoulder screw 195, the leg clip 176 and the resiliency of the angle spacer 185, as well as the gravity force exerted by the weight of the desk parts pushing downwardly. The resiliency of the spacer 185 and the deformed flanges 187 thereof serve to lock the shoulder screw 195 in the adjusted position thereof, the shoulder screw 195 being adjusted until a tight fit of the leg 170 is achieved. Although the above procedure is with respect to the mounting of the front leg 170 associated with the pedestal 150, it will be understood that precisely the same procedure is applicable with respect to the rear leg 170 associated with the pedestal 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, 6, 7, 9, 11 and 12 of the drawings, there are illustrated the details of construction and mounting of the back panel 200, the back panel 200 being disposed toward the rear of the desk top 101 and disposed rearwardly with respect to the rear mounting channel thereon and extending between the pedestal and the end panel 250. As may best be seen in FIG. 12, the back panel 200 includes a pair of substantially rectangular side walls 201 formed of sheet metal and disposed substantially parallel to each other, the ends of the side walls 201 being closed by the end walls 202 and the bottom edges of the side walls 201 being joined and closed by the bottom flanges 203 that overlap and are suitably secured as by welding. The inner side wall 201, i.e., the side wall disposed to the left in FIG. 12, has a rearwardly directed upper flange 204 integral with the upper edge thereof and extending rearwardly toward the outer side wall 201 and terminating adjacent thereto. The outer side wall 201, i.e., the side wall 201 disposed to the right in FIG. 12, extends upwardly beyond the upper flange 204 and has integral with the upper edge thereof a forwardly directed top flange 205 that overlies the upper flange 204. Disposed between the side walls 201 and the end walls 202 is a filler 230 of cellular construction similar to the filler 199 in the finishing panel 190, the filler 230 being formed of a paper product including a pair of outer layers adhesively secured to an inner body of honeycomb construction, the filler 230 being secured by bodies of mastic (not shown) disposed between the outer surfaces thereof and the inner surfaces of the side walls 201, thereby fixedly to mount the filler 230 in the back panel 200' The mastic utilized to secure the filler 230 to the side walls 201 is preferably a heavy bodied, short, water dispersed adhesive such as that sold under the trademark W870 by Armstrong Cork Company of EC- 321 by Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co. The filler 230' extends from a point slightly above the bottom of the flanges 203 upwardly to a point slightly below the upper flange 204. Further details of construction of the fillers 199 and 230 are set forth in the copending application Serial No. 503,157 referred to above.

The back panel 200, as are all of the other parts of the desk 100, is mounted upon the desk top 101 and particularly upon the mounting channels 120 thereof. To this end a pair of panel brackets 220 is provided, each of the panel brackets 220 including a body 221 generally rectangular in shape and having on opposed sides thereof upstanding flanges 222 adapted to receive therein the associated mounting channel 120 (see FIGS. 11 and 12), the rear edge of the body 221 having an integral depending leg 224 thereon carrying on the lower end a rearwardly extending arm 225. The inner wall 201 carries a pair of spaced apart rectangular slots 207 therein adjacent to the upper edge thereof each of which receives therethrough one of the arms 225, the arm 225 extending rearwardly into the associated slot 207 to engage beneath the upper flange 204 as is best seen in FIG. 12. The body 221 further has an opening 223 therein which receives thereth-rough a threaded shank with a bolt 124 extending upwardly into the mounting channel 120 to engage a nut 127 disposed therein. Further details of the construction of the nut 127 and the cooperation thereof with the associated mountnig channel 120 are set forth in the copending application Ser. No. 503,157 referred to above. From the above described construction, it will be seen that the panel brackets 220 are fixedly mounted upon the rear mounting channel 120 with the arms 225 extending rearwardly therefrom and into the upper portions of the back panel 200 to support the back panel 200 in the position illustrated, namely, with the outer surface of the rear wall 201 in general vertical alignment with the outer edge 9 of the depending flange 105 on the edging 103 of the desk top 101, see FIG. 12.

In addition, the lefthand end of the back panel 200 is connected to the rear of the pedestal 150 by a construction that is best illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 9 of the drawings. Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the lefthand end of the back panel 200 as viewed therein is provided with a U-shaped slot .206 in the upper end of the associated end wall 202, the slot 206 also extending into the top flanges 204 and 205, the U-shaped slot 206 being adapted to receive the-rein One of the shoulder screws 195, see FIG. 9. More specifically, the adjacent or righthand side wall 153 of the pedestal 150 has a pedestal corner clip 166 mounted in the upper rear corner thereof such as by welding and is further provided with an opening therein in alignment with the threaded opening in the clip 166, whereby one of the shoulder screws 195 can be mounted thereon extending laterally and outwardly therefrom. There further is provided on the adjacent end wall 202 of the back panel 200 a plastic spacer 210 having a cross section generally like half of the angle space-r 185 described above and formed of the same material. The spacer 210 has a pair of openings through the main wall thereof that receive self-tapping screws 211 engaging in openings 208 in the back panel end wall 202. Accordingly, the back panel 200 can be mounted in close relationship with respect to the rear of the pedestal 150 by first mounting the plastic spacer on the end wall 292 thereof and thereafter moving the end wall 200 upwardly while the slot 206 is in alignment with the shank 197 of the shoulder screw 1%, while compressing the flanges of the plastic spacer 210. Finally, provided at the bottom of the end wall 202 and connected to the bottom of the rear of the pedestal 150 is a tie band or clip 212, the tie band 212 being essentially rectangular in shape and. having upturned ends 213 that extend into openings in the bottoms of the back panel 200 and the pedestal 150 and engage in slots 167 in corner clips 166 mounted in the adjacent corners of the back panel 200 and the pedestal 150, respectively. There further are provided screws 214 extending through openings in the tie band 212 and engaging the threaded openings 168 in the corner clips 166, thereby fixedly to interconnect the lower ends of the back panel 200 and the pedestal 150. It further is noted that the Wiring openings 215 are provided in the upper portion of the back panel 200 as may be best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6.

Disposed at the righthand end of the desk 100 is the end panel 250, the construction and connection thereof being best illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, 6, 7, 11 and 13 of the drawings. The end panel 250 more specifically is disposed adjacent to the righthand end of the desk top 101 and extends from a point spaced rearwardly from the front edge 103 rearwardly to a point spaced a short distance forwardly of the rear edge of the edging 3. As may be best seen in FIG. 11, the end panel 250 includes a pair of substantially rectangular side walls 251 formed of sheet metal and disposed substantially parallel to each other, the ends of the side walls 251 being closed by end walls 252 and the bottom edges of the side walls 251 being provided with bottom flanges 253 that overlap and are suitably secured together as by welding. The inner side wall 251, i.e., the side wall disposed to the left, in FIG. 11, is provided with an outwardly directed top flange (not shown) integral with the upper edge thereof. The outer side wall 251, i.e., the side wall 251 disposed to the right in FIG. 11, extends upwardly slightly beyond the inner side 'wall 251 and has integral with the upper edge thereof an inwardly directed top flange 255 that overlies and bears against the upper flange on the inner side wall 251 and is suitably secured thereto as by welding. Disposed between the side walls 251 and the end walls 252 is a filler 230 of cellular construction formed of a paper product and adhesively secured to the inner surfaces of the side walls 251, the filler 230 in the end panel being identical to the filler 230 in the back panel 200.

Mounted in each end of the end panel 250 and extending upwardly through the upper side thereof is a pair of panel mounting brackets 270, see FIGS. 7, 11 and 13. Each of the brackets 270 includes a generally rectangular body 271 having an opening 272 centrally thereof that receives therethrough a bolt 124 engageable in a nut 127 in the end of the associated mounting channel 120. Extending laterally outwardly from the outer side of the body 271 and depending therefrom is a. leg 273 that carries on the lower outer edge thereof a depending and olfset attachment flange 274, the flange 274 having a threaded opening 275 disposed essentially centrally with respect thereto. As may be best seen in FIG. 11, the attachment flange 274 extends downwardly through the top flanges on the side walls 251 and is disposed therebetween against the adjacent end wall 252, aligned openings in the end panels 252 communicating with the openings in the flanges 274 and receiving thereth-rough the threaded ends 198 of shoulder screws 195.

One of the legs 170 is provided at the juncture between the righthand end of the back panel 200 and the rear end of the end panel 250, the leg 170 there disposed having both the solid line openings and the dashed line openings illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings. The side wall 171 of this leg disposed toward the end panel 250 further has mounted thereon a plastic spacer 260 of the same cross section as the plastic spacer 210 described above, the plastic spacer 260 being held in position by a pair of selftapping screws 2 61 engaging in the openings 173 in the adjacent side wall 171. Interconnection is made between this leg 170 and the back panel 201 as is best illustrated in FIG. 11 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that the plastic spacer 210 is pushed against the side of the leg and as may be best seen in FIG. 7, the shoulder screw 195 mounted on the end wall 202 of the back panel 201 engages in the associated notch 172 in the upper end of the leg 17 0. There further is provided one of the leg clips 176 interconnecting the lower righthand end of the back panel 201 and the adjacent leg 170. This leg 170 also is connected to the rear of the end panel 250 as is best seen in FIG. 13 wherein it will be seen that the shoulder screw 195 mounted on the rear end of the end panel 250 is engaged in the notch 172 in the upper end of the adjacent leg side wall 171. The lower rear end of the end panel 250 is connected to an intermediate portion of the rear righthand leg 170 by a leg clip 176 engaging at one end thereof in the corner clip 166 mounted in the lower rear end of the end panel 250 and engaging at the other end thereof through the slot 174 in adjacent leg side wall 171.

Finally, a leg 17%? having therein only the openings illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 5 is disposed at the front of the end panel 250, this leg 170 also carrying thereon one of the plastic spacers 260, FIG. 4. The shoulder screw 195, FIG. 7, at the front end of the end panel 250 engages in the notch 172 in the upper end of the front righthand leg 17 0 and the lower end of the end panel 250 is connected to an intermediate portion of the associated leg 170 by a leg clip (not shown) but identical to the leg clip 176.

One of the important features of the present invention resides in the fact that the various parts. mounted upon the underside of the desk top 101 are urge-d upwardly to engage and to abut against the underside of the lower trim 115. For example, the front and rear of the pedestal 150 are urged upwardly against the underside of the ad jacent portions of the trim as is the finishing panel 190 carried thereby and the two legs 170 mounted there on. Likewise, the back panel 200, and specifically the top flange 205 thereof is urged upwardly against the lower surface of the associated lower trim .115. Also the end panel 250 and the associated legs 170 are urged upwardly against the resilient trim 115, whereby to deaden sound transmission between the various parts and to form a neat and attractive appearance. It also has been pointed out above that resilient spacers are disposed between the pedestal and the associated legs 170, and between the pedestal 150 and the back panel 200 and between the back 1 1 panel 200 and the associated rear leg 170 and between the ends of the end panel 250 and the associated legs 170, thereby also to deaden sound transmission among the several parts.

Fundamentally, the desk 190 is formed of sheet metal with the exception of the several parts mentioned during the above description. Furthermore, the sheet metal forming the various parts is of relatively light gauge, and particularly with respect to the legs 170, it is pointed out that the material from which the legs are formed by bending is 16 gauge sheet metal. To improve the appearance of the legs 170, the outer surface thereof is chromium plated. The finishing panel 190 is formed of 24 gauge sheet metal, the side walls of the back panel 2th) are formed of 24 gauge sheet metal, the side walls of the end panel 259 are formed of 24 gauge sheet metal, the corner clips 166 are of 12 gauge sheet metal as are the leg clips 176, and the tie bands 212 are of 16 gauge sheet metal.

From the above description it will be seen that there has been provided an improved article of furniture, and specifically an improved desk construction, which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, there has been provided an improved furniture construction, particularly an improved desk. formed essentially of sheet metal that is simple in construction and economical in manufacture. The improved desk includes an improved furniture top comprising a top plate and an edging extending around the periphery thereof and secured thereto, the edging carrying on the lower end thereof a trim mounting structure on which is disposed a decorative trim of improved construction and arrangement. The decorative trim is preferably of resilient character and serves to fill the space between the top and the other adjacent components of the desk. There further is provided between the desk legs and the other components of the desk such as the pedestal and the back panel and the end panel resilient spacers to improve the sound deadening properties among the several parts of the desk.

In the improved desk, a new and improved method of mounting the back panel and the end panel on the desk top I has been provided, as well as improved structure for mounting the legs thereon. More specifically, the improved structure for mounting the legs includes a U-shaped notch at the upper end of the leg receiving a mounting fastener therein and a clip interconnecting the lower end of the associated member and an intermediate portion of the leg. a resilient spacer being provided between the leg and the other furniture member as has been pointed out above.

Finally, there have been provided an improved leg structure, an improved back panel, an improved end panel, an improved top bracket and an improved panel bracket, all useful in the improved furniture construction of the present invention.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A desk comprising a top including a substantially fiat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels; a pedestal arranged adjacent to one end of said top and secured to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby to connect said pedestal to said top, an end support arranged adjacent to the other end of said top and including means securing said end support to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby to connect said end support to said top; a first pair of legs detachably secured to said pedestal to support the adjacent end of said desk and a second pair of legs detachably secured to said end support to support the adjacent end of said desk; and

resilient spacers disposed between said first pair of legs and said pedestal and between said second pair of legs and said end support.

2. The desk set forth in claim 1, wherein said end support is an end panel disposed adjacent to said other end of said top and arranged generally parallel to the side walls of said pedestal.

3. The desk set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a first set of leg clips interconecting said first pair of legs and said pedestal and a second set of leg clips interconnecting said second pair of legs and said end support.

4. The desk set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a back panel disposed adjacent to the rear of said top and extending between said pedestal and said end support and disposed substantially normal thereto, and means securing the upper portion of said back panel to the adjacent one of said mounting channels, thereby to connect said back panel to said top.

5. The desk set forth in claim 1, and further comprising a finishing panel disposed on the outer side of said pedestal between said first pair of legs and secured to paid pedestal to fill the space between said first pair of egs.

6. A desk comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels; a pedestal arranged adjacent to one end of said top and secured to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby to connect said pedestal to said top, an end support arranged adjacent to the other end of said top, a pair of top brackets interconnecting said end support and said mounting channels to mount said end support on said top; a back panel disposed adjacent to the rear of said top and extending between said pedestal and said end support and disposed substantially normally thereto, a pair of panel brackets interconnecting said back panel and the adjacent one of said mounting channels, thereby to connect said back panel to said top; a first pair of legs disposed at one end of said top and detachably secured to said pedestal to support the adjacent end of said desk, a second pair of legs disposed at the other end of said desk adjacent to the opposite ends of said end support and detachably secured thereto and to the adjacent end of said back panel to support the adjacent end of said desk; and resilient spacers disposed between said first pair of legs and said pedestal and between said second pair of legs and said end support and said back panel resiliently to secure the connection between said first pair of legs and said pedestal and between said second pair of legs and said end support and said back panel.

7. The desk set forth in claim 6, wherein said end support is an end panel extending along said other end of said top substantially parallel to the side walls of said pedestal.

8. The desk set forth in claim 6, and further comprising a first set of leg clips interconnecting said first pair of legs and said pedestal adjacent to the lower end thereof, a second set of leg clips interconnecting said second pair of legs and the adjacent ends of said end support and said back panel adjacent to the lower ends thereof, and a tie clip interconnecting said pedestal and the adjacent end of said back panel adjacent to the lower ends thereof.

9. A desk comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels; a pedestal arranged adjacent to one end of said top and secured to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby to connect said pedestal to said top; an end support arranged adjacent to the other end of said top and including means securing said end support to the adjacent mounting channels, thereby to connect said end support to said top; a back panel disposed adjacent to the rear of said top and extending between said pedestal and said end support and disposed substantially normal thereto, means securing said back panel to the adjacent one of said mounting channels, thereby to connect said back panel to said top; a first pair of legs disposed at one end of said top and detachably secured to the outer side of said pedestal to support the adjacent end of said desk, a second pair of legs disposed at the other end of said desk in the planes of said end support and said back panel and adjacent to the opposite ends of said end support and detachably secured to the end support and to the adjacent end of said back panel to support the adjacent end of said desk; a resilient trim mounted on the lower edge of said dependent side flange and filling the space between said top and the upper ends of said pedestal and said end support and said back panel and said legs; a first pair of resilient spacers disposed between said first pair of legs and said pedestal, a second pair of resilient spacers disposed between the ends of said back panel and the adjacent portions of said pedestal and the adjacent one of said second pair of legs, and a third pair of resilient spacers disposed between the ends of said end support and the adjacent ones of said second pair of legs.

10. The desk set forth in claim 9, and further comprising a finishing panel disposed on the outer side of said pedestal in the plane of and between said first pair of legs and secured to said pedestal, and a fourth pair of resilient spacers disposed between the opposite ends of said finishing panel and the adjacent ones of said first pair of legs.

11. A furniture top comprising a substantially flat top plate, an edging extending about the periphery of said top plate and disposed adjacent to the underside thereof, said edging including an inwardly extending attachment flange and a dependent side flange on the outer edge thereof disposed outwardly with respect to the periphery of the said top plate, means interconnecting said attachment flange and said top plate at points spaced inwardly with respect to said top plate, a trim mounting structure disposed on the lower edge of said dependent side flange and including inner and outer attachment members, and a trim disposed on said trim mounting structure and including a decorative side wall and a pair of mounting flanges integral therewith and engaging over said attach ment members to mount said tirm on said trim mounting structure.

12. The furniture top set forth in claim 11, wherein the outer surface of said trim is spaced inwardly with respect to the outer surface of said dependent side flange.

13. The furniture top set forth in claim 11, wherein said trim is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin.

14. The furniture top set forth in claim 11, wherein said trim is formed of an acrylonitrile-butadienestyrene copolymer.

15. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising, a generally upstanding furniture member including an upstanding side wall and a bottom wall disposed substantially normal thereto, a mounting fastener connected to said furniture side wall adjacent to the upper end thereof including a shank extending outwardly therefrom and carrying thereon an enlarged disk-like member, a tubular leg having a side wall disposed adjacent to said furnitude side wall and having a U-shaped slot formed in the upper end thereof having a lateral extent slightly greater than said shank but less than said member and receiving said shank therein, a resilient spacer disposed between said furniture side wall and said leg side wall to fill the space therebetween, and a leg clip interconnecting the lower end of said furniture member and an intermediate portion of said leg, thereby to mount said leg upon said furniture member adjacent to both the upper and lower ends thereof.

16. The furniture structure set forth in claim 15, wherein said spacer is mounted upon said leg side wall.

17. The furniture structure set forth in claim 15, wherein said spacer includes a longitudinally extending main wall having a pair of outwardly directed and longitudinally extending flanges on the outer edges thereof and extending therefrom.

18. The furniture structure set forth in claim 15, wherein said spacer is formed of a synthetic organic plastic resin.

19. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a mounting channel disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and spaced inwardly from the rear edge thereof and secured thereto, said mounting channel including a pair of downwardly extending side walls and a pair of inwardly directed retaining flanges on the lower edges thereof and having the inner edges spaced apart, an edging extending along the rear edge of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly Well below said mounting channel, a back panel disposed below said top adjacent to the rear edge thereof, said back panel including a pair of side walls and a top wall and an opening in the inner one of said side walls, and a panel bracket secured to the retaining flanges of said mounting channel and having a dependent leg thereon extending downwardly along said one side wall and carrying on the lower end thereof an arm extending into said opening and engaging beneath said top wall to support said back panel on said top.

20. The furniture construction set forth in claim 19, wherein the back panel is in mounted position offset rearwardly with respect to said mounting channel with the outer side wall thereof disposed substantially in the same plane as said edging side flange and extends substantially upwardly thereto, thereby to conceal the connection between said top and said back panel, and said arm extends rearwardly from said leg and with respect to said mounting channel to hold said back panel in said mounted position.

21. The furniture structure set forth in claim 19, wherein said panel bracket includes a body disposed against the underside of said mounting channel and a pair of up standing retaining flanges on the edges of said body for engaging the outer surfaces of said mounting channel to limit movement therebetween, and a nut disposed in said mounting channel and a bolt passing through said body and engaging said nut fixedly to mount said panel bracket on said mounting channel.

22. The furniture structure set forth in claim 19, wherein said back panel is provided with two openings therein and two of said panel brackets are provided for mounting said back panel on said desk top.

23. The furniture structure set forth in claim 19, and further comprising a resilient spacer mounted on each end of said back panel to fill the space between adjacent furniture structures.

24. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to' the underside of said top plate and secured thereto and spaced inwardly from the front and rear edges thereof, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a dependent side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels, a pedestal arranged adjacent to one end of said top and secured to the adjacent mounting channels, a back panel disposed below said top adjacent to the rear edge thereof and including a pair of side walls and a top wall and a pair of end walls and an opening in the inner one of said side walls, a panel bracket fixedly secured to the rear one of said mounting channels and having a dependent leg thereon extending downwardly alOng said one side wall and carrying on the lower end thereof an arm extending into said opening and engaging beneath 15 said top wall to support said back panel on said top, a panel mounting fastener interconnecting the end wall of said back panel to the adjacent side of said pedestal adjacent to the upper ends thereof, and a tie clip interconnecting said back panel and said pedestal adjacent to the lower ends thereof.

25. The furniture stnlcture set forth in claim 24, wherein said tie clip includes a body having upwardly extending flanges on the opposite ends thereof extending through openings in the lower ends of said pedestal and said back panel respectively, and fasteners connecting said body to the lower ends of said pedestal and said back panel to hold the clip in the operative position thereof.

26. The furniture structure set forth in claim 24, and further comprising a resilient trim disposed between the lower edge of said depending side flange and the adjacent upper end of said pedestal and said back panel to fill the space therebetween, and a resilient spacer disposed between said pedestal and the adjacent end of said back panel.

27. The furniture structure set forth in claim 24, wherein said panel mounting fastener includes a shank mounted on said pedestal extending laterally therefrom and into a U-shaped slot in the upper end of the adjacent one of said end walls and carrying on the outer end thereof an enlarged disk-like member head engaging the inner surface of said one end wall, thereby to hold the adjacent end of said back panel against the adjacent wall of said pedestal.

28. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto and spaced inwardly from the front and rear and side edges thereof, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a depending side flange that extends downwardly Well below said mounting channels, an end panel disposed below said top adjacent to one end thereof and including a pair of side walls interconnected by a pair of end walls, and a pair of panel brackets fixedly secured respectively to said mounting channels and each having a depending leg thereon extending downwardly and carrying on the lower end thereof an arm connected to a wall of said end panel to support said end panel on said top.

29. The furniture construction set forth in claim 23, wherein said end panel is in mounted position offset outwardly with respect to the adjacent ends of said mounting substantially in the same plane as said edging side flange and extending substantially upwardly thereto, thereby to conceal the connection between said top and said end panel, and said arms extend outwardly from said legs with respect to the ends of said mounting channels to hold said end panel in said mounted position.

30. The furniture structure set forth in claim 28, wherein said end panel is provided with a top wall and said arms extend through openings in the top wall of said end panel and are secured to said end panel.

31. In a furniture structure, the combination comprising a top including a substantially flat top plate, a pair of spaced apart one-piece mounting channels disposed adjacent to the underside of said top plate and secured thereto and spaced inwardly from the front and rear and side edges thereof, an edging extending around the periphery of said top plate and including a depending side flange that extends downwardly well below said mounting channels, an end panel disposed below said top adjacent to one end thereof and including a pair of side walls interconnected by a pair of end walls, a pair of top brackets fixedly secured respectively to said mounting channels and each having a depending leg thereon extending downwardly and carrying on the lower end thereof an arm connected to said end panel to support said end panel channels with the outer side wall thereof disposed on said top, a back panel disposed below said top adjacent to the rear edge thereof and including a pair of side walls and a top wall and a pair of end walls and an opening in the inner one of said side walls, and a panel bracket fixedly secured to the rear one of said mounting channels and having a depending leg thereon extending downwardly along said one side wall of the back panel and carrying on the lower end thereof an arm extending into said opening and engaging beneath said top wall of the back panel to support said back panel on said top, and a leg disposed at the juncture between said end panel and said back panel and means for providing interconnections between said leg and said end panel and said back panel.

32. The furniture structure set forth in claim 31, wherein said end panel and said back panel both carry fasteners having disk-like retaining members and reduced shanks extending outwardly therefrom and engaging in U-shaped slots provided in the upper end of said leg to connect said panels to said leg and to each other.

33. The furniture structure set forth in claim 31, wherein leg clips are provided interconnecting the bottom of said end panel to said leg and the bottom of said back panel to said leg to hold said leg in the operative position thereof.

34. The furniture structure set forth in claim 31, and further comprising a resilient trim disposed between the lower edge of said dependent side flange and the adjacent upper end of said end panel and said back panel to fill the space therebetween, and a resilient spaced disposed between said leg and said end panel and between said leg and said back panel.

35. A desk back panel comprising a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel sheet metal side walls, a pair of sheet metal end walls interconnecting said side walls at the opposite ends thereof, a sheet metal top wall and a sheet metal bottom wall respectively interconnecting said side walls at the top and bottom thereof, one of said side walls having a pair openings therein adjacent to said top wall for receiving a pair of panel mounting brackets, said top wall having an opening in one end thereof and communicating with a U-shaped notch in the upper end of the adjacent end wall to receive a panel fastener for securing the back panel to an adjacent furniture structure, and a fastener mounted on the other of said end walls near the top thereof and including a shank extending laterally therefrom and carrying an enlarged disk-like member on the outer end thereof to secure the back panel to another adjacent furniture structure, said bottom wall having openings therein adjacent to the outer ends thereof for receiving tie clips to further secure said back panel to said adjacent furniture structures.

36. The desk back panel set forth in claim 35, and further comprising a body of rigid cellular construction disposed between said side walls and extending between said end walls and substantially filling the spaced therebetween, and layers of adhesive disposed between the inner surfaces of said side walls and the adjacent surfaces of said body for securing said side walls to said body throughout the adjacent areas thereof, whereby to impart good sound deadening properties to said back anel.

37. The desk back panel set forth in claim 35, and further comprising a resilient spacer mounted on each of said end walls for filling the spaces between said back panel and said adjacent furniture structures,

38. A desk end panel comprising a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel sheet metal side walls, a pair of sheet metal end walls interconnecting said side walls at the opposite ends thereof, a sheet metal top walls and a sheet metal bottom wall respectively interconnecting said side walls at the top and bottom thereof, and a fastener mounted on each of said end walls near the top thereof and each including a shank extending later- 17 ally therefrom and carrying an enlarged disk-like memher on the outer end thereof to secure said end panel to adjacent leg structures, said bottom wall having openings therein adjacent to the outer ends thereof to receive leg securing clips.

39. The desk end panel set forth in claim 38, and further comprising a body of rigid cellular construction disposed between said side walls and extending between said end walls and substantially filling the space therebetween, and layers of adhesive disposed between the inner surfaces of said side walls and the adjacent surfaces of said body for securing said side walls to said body throughout the adjacent areas thereof, whereby to impart strength and good sound deadening properties to said end panel.

40. A panel bracket for mounting a furniture panel on an associated mounting channel disposed thereabove, said panel bracket comprising a body having a pair of upstanding flanges thereon adapted to engage the outer side of the associated mounting channel, said body having an opening therethrough for receiving a fastener to engage a nut in the associated mounting channel, a leg integral with said body and extending downwardly therefrom adjacent to one edge thereof, and an arm integral with said leg on the lower end thereof and extending laterally therefrom in a direction opposite to said body and adapted to engage an associated furniture panel to mount the same on the associated mounting channel.

41. A panel bracket for mounting a furniture end panel on a mounting channel disposed thereabove and terminating inwardly from the end panel at a point spaced therefrom, said bracket comprising, a body having an opening therein for receiving therethrough a fastener for engaging a nut mounted in the associated mounting channel, a leg integral with said body on one edge thereof and extending downwardly therefrom and being disposed in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the associated mounting channel, and an offset attachment flange integral with one end of said leg extending longitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the associated mounting channel and disposed for securement to the adjacent side of an associated end panel, and means on said attachment flange for connecting said bracket to the associated end panel.

42. The furniture structure set forth in claim 15, wherein said furniture leg comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending leg side walls joined at the corners thereof to form a hollow body of substantially rectangular cross section; the upper end of at least one of said leg side walls having said substantially U-shaped notch formed therein to receive the shank of said leg mounting fastener and having a rectangular slot formed in said one leg side wall toward the other end thereof for receiving said leg mounting clip therein, said resilient spacer engaging said one leg side wall and extending from adjacent said slot to adjacent said notch to close the space between said leg and the adjacent furniture member, and means securing said resilient spacer to said one leg side wall.

43. The furniture leg set forth in claim 42, wherein said securing means comprises a threaded fastener extending through said resilient spacer and engaging an opening in said one leg side wall.

44. The furniture structure set forth in claim 42, wherein two adjacent ones of said leg side walls have said U-shaped notches at the upper ends thereof and said rectangular slots formed therein to secure the shanks of the leg mounting fasteners at a corner of the furniture member, and further comprising a resilient spacer engaging each of said adjacent leg side walls and extending from said slots to the ends of said leg side Walls carrying said notches, and means securing each of said resilient spacers to the associated leg side wall,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,141,954 12/1938 Jones 3l2-194- X 2,980,482 4/1961 Baio 312-195 X 3,157,446 11/1964 Stark 312--195 3,181,923 5/1965 Guillon et al. 312-195 X 3,222,113 12/1965 Hamilton et al. 312195 3,327,658 6/1967 Schreyer 108-156 FOREIGN PATENTS 745,522 11/ 1966 Canada.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 108156 

